Shira Route

The Shira Route is used by very few mountain visitors who climb Kilimanjaro. It has been largely replaced by the Lemosho Route, which is almost identical but starts lower down. It is mainly used for quick access for rescue work and for hardy climbers who especially request this route for its isolation.The starting point for the Shira Route is the Londorossi Gate (same as for the Lemosho Route). It takes a two to three-hour drive to get there and on the first day, you may well spend more time driving and waiting around at the gate than you will be walking.

Shira route approaches Kilimanjaro from the western side and is a little longer trail. The route is very remote and receives quite fewer trekkers. Shira Route starts from the west and meets the Lemosho Route. Shira is practically the original route of Lemosho. Lemosho starts at Londorossi Gates whereas Shira proceeds towards the north and higher up to the Shira Gate. The starting point is a major negative point for the hikers as the body doesn’t get enough time to adjust to the high altitude. The first section of the trail is not hiked but rather driven. Therefore, hikers miss out on hiking up one of Kilimanjaro’s ecological zones, the rainforest.

The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Shira Ridge. The vehicle bypasses the rain forest zone and the hiking trail begins on Shira Ridge. The Shira route crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. Then the route traverses underneath Kilimanjaro's Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route.

There are many possible slight variations to the Shira route, so don't be surprised if you see an itinerary that mentions different camps and different heights.